I also think that Ennis is a great town. While you were there did you go to The Madison River Fishing Company??? If you did there is a good chance I waited on you:O)
I am glad you had a good trip and enjoyed yourelf.

skookum

01-14-2001 03:12 AM

RE:hey Skookum.. About your past Montana report?

Yup, got some flies and info there. In fact, I called one of the guys there before we even went, and he gave me all kinds of good information on where and how to fish. I still think it's a crazy river with all those miles of knee deep riffle. I kept thinking, where are the holes and runs? Did pretty well though in the back channels across from the camping area at "Garden Valley(?)" or something like that. At least back in there I found water I could relate to. Not much surface action, though--had to fish steelhead style with big black wooly buggers, but got some nice fish. Anyway, if it was you that talked to the steelhead fisherman from Seattle, thanks a ton. I think the guy I talked to said he came out last winter and fished the Sauk or something. Anyway, great town, great shop. Also, I was the guy that came back on the way out of town and bought your total stock of Whiting Farms wooly bugger hackle.

Peace,

Dylan

roballen

01-14-2001 03:56 PM

RE:hey Skookum.. About your past Montana report?

Dylan, yes that was very likely me. Noone else who works there does much steelheading and I am sure I was the only one to fish the Sauk. Often in mid-late summer big black buggers are the best way to find large fish. I am glad you found the advise you got helpful. While I was working there it really was my sincere desire to help as many people as I could enjoy their time on the water as much as possible. I think that is what all fly shop employees should strive for.
I must admit though I did give preferential treetment to steelheaders and spey fishermen:O)

Rob

juro

01-14-2001 04:47 PM

RE:hey Skookum.. About your past Montana report?

Like Ryan says.... small world. Getting smaller too!

Doublespey

01-15-2001 11:23 AM

You're making me Nostalgic!

Damn . . it really is a small world! I used to fish the Madison with my dad years ago. In fact, I still have a couple tattered Madison River Fishing Co hats laying around somewhere and well remember the same thoughts and experiences as Skookum expressed the first time I fished it.

We arrived there one late August evening and, after depositing our gear at the rental cabin and having dinner, I got the urge to check out the water. Since my dad wasn't much interested in anything but a little relaxation after hours of driving, I grabbed my cousin and we headed down to the river.

We drove south from Ennis and parked in the first boatlaunch/campground we found. Wading right down the middle of the river fishing the troughs along either bank, we marveled that we were able to do this.

I didn't know what flies might work (the first choice - a #10 Stimulator -failed miserably), but i'd been doing a lot of summer steelheading in Washington and decided that one of my favorites - a #6 peacock wolley bugger- might look good to a Montana trout. And I fished it just like I would for steelhead - cast it tight to shore, a big backmend, and a slow cross-current wet fly swing thru the trough.

I'd just reached some big concrete pillars in the streambed - looked to be remains of a washed out bridge - and was fishing along the soutern grassy bank - when the big rainbow clamped down on the bugger. My cousin, who was used to Arkansas trout in the 10" range, was screaming advice at me as the trout raced back and forth in the riffle between us.

After a splashy landing on a shallow weedy island in the middle of the river, we both marvelled at the deep-bodied 22" rainbow. It was amazingly proportioned, with a hugh head and heavy body in front of the dorsal, then a much smaller posterior and tail. Looked like a piscatorial Arnold Schwarznegger! It was getting dark by then, so a quick picture and release and we were headed back to town.

The next morning we went into the MRFC and they showed us the rabbit strip leeches and other flies used to entice the big browns. And we floated with one of their guides that same day and got into some of those big browns as well as a couple nice rainbows. It was a memorable trip, and the Madison a great trout river.

I was just back to visit a friend last summer - that town has really grown in the past few years!